Here is a slide show presenting Rossano B. Maniscalchi’s film projects and awards. Further below is a an overview of his most recognized films:
COCOON REDUX
was originally filmed in 1991 and inspired by his career as a photographer.
This film was subsequently developed and made by Lobo Film Productions, directed by Maria Burns, written by Marco de Ornella and stars Hadar Kell and Georgio Panetta.
It was selected by the prestigious La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival (2017) and nominated for Best Documentary and for Best Creative Concept.
It has been selected and won prizes at the following festivals:
Seattle International Fashion Film Festival (2017)
Winner Best Visual Effects
Canada Shorts Film Festival (2018) Award of Excellence
Canada International Fashion Film Festival (2018)
Winner Best Edit in a Fashion Film
Miami Independent Film Festival (2018) Winner
Australia Fashion Film Awards (2018) Finalist
Hollywood Screenings Film Festival (2018) Winner
International Independent Film Awards (2018)
Concept – Silver Winner
Los Angeles CineFest Winner
Experimental, Dance & Music Festival Official Selection
International Independent Film Awards Silver Winner
See the film here:
FAILING LIGHT
This is a promotional film commissioned by footwear designer DAMI. It received three nominations at the La Jolla International Film Festival in California (2017) for:
- Best Art Direction
- Best Creative Concept
- Best Makeup
You can see an interview with Rossano Maniscalchi about the film “Failing Light” at the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival here:
TOUCH ME (2018)
This film as was produced for La Fortezza. Leather is the dominant element in this film of love and passions, where emotions take shape through the director’s extraordinary representation.
This film was officially selected by an impressive number of international festivals and won awards:
9th La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival (2018)
Nominations in 8 categories
Award Winner: Best Supporting Role – Fashion Brand
Arts 4 Peace Awards – Beverly Hills (2018)
Award Winner: Best International Fashion Film
Best Istanbul Film Festival (2021)
Award Winner: Best Director
It has also been honored at these festivals:
- Tenerife International Film Festival (2018)
- Milan International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema (2018)
- 10th Pune Short Film Festival (2020)
- Fashion Film Festival – Casino de Lisboa (2018)
- Kalakari Film Fest (2023)
You can watch the film trailer here:
ENDLESS (2019)
The title is paradoxical. The theme of this film is the transitory nature of life. In it, we perceive the passage of an entire existence, yet it remains uniquely singular.
This film was selected and received two nominations at the 10th La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival (2019)
- Best Sound Design
- Best Cinematography
Officially Selected by the Kalakari Film Fest (India)
You can watch the film trailer here:
DENYING BEAUTY (2019)
This film asserts that superficiality and beauty, when used to fulfill desires, are ephemeral.
It is set in a culturally rich and historic location.
This film was selected at several international film festivals, received nominations and won the following awards:
10th La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival (2019)
Nominations in 11 categories
Award Winner: Best Director and Best Makeup
Palm Beach International Mini Movie & Film Festival (2019)
Award Winner: Best Artistic Director ll Best Makeup ll Best Mini Movie LGBTQ
Best Istanbul Film Festival (2020)
Award Winner: Best Cinematography
Croatia Fashion Film Festival 2020
Nomination: Best Director
Sarajevo Fashion Film Festival (2020)
Nominations: Best Director ll Best Fashion Film
Officially selected at 3 other festivals.
- 10th Pune Short Film Festival (2020) – India
- 7siff – 7 seconds International Film Festival – Buenos Aires (2020)
- Kalakari Film Fest (2023)
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You can watch the film trailer here:
ANYWAY (2020)
In the beautiful city of Florence, a writer, experiencing an identity crisis, rediscovers her love for writing through surreal locations and unexpected encounters.
This film marks Maniscalchi’s most impressive collection of festival selections, nomiations and awards:
11th La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival (2020)
Nominations in 11 categories
Award Winner: Best Cinematography
Best Istanbul Film Festival (2020)
Award Winner: Best Director
Seattle International Fashion Film Festival (2021)
Nomination: Best Technical Achievement
Croatia Fashion Film Festival (2022)
Nominations: Best Director ll Best Fashion Film
Award Winner: Best Cinematography
Los Angeles Style, Experimental, Fashion Film Festival (2022)
Award Winner: Best Cinematography
Wisdom Tree International Film Festival (2023)
Award Winner: Best Editing (Roman Shonokov) ll Best Actor (Tara Johnson Delgado)
Officially selected by the Kalakari Film Fest.
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You can watch the film trailer here:
IN THE RING (2022)
In Prague, a group of women prepares for an evening. The arrival of the “challenger” disrupts the harmony in the venue. The space transforms into a ring. These women are well-versed in the art of “competition with no holds barred,” deception, and betrayal.
This film marks Maniscalchi’s first use of voice narration as a crucial element enhancing the mood created by his images.
Several selections and awards at international film festivals attest to it’s success. Among those are:
12th La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival (2021)
Nominations: Best Fashion ll Best Cast Ensemble
Best Istanbul Film Festival (2022)
Award Winner: Best Director
Serbest International Film Festival (2022)
Quarter-Finalist
FilmHaus Berlin (2022)
Finalist: Best Documentary Editing ll Best Cinematography ll Best Short Documentary
Wisdom Tree International Film Festival (2023)
Award Winner: Best Art Film
Officially selected by:
- Kalakari Film Fest (2023)
- Best International Film Festival – Bucharest (2022)
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You can watch the film trailer here:
THE KEY TO HEAVEN (2022)
Master goldsmith Ara Davidi Ghazaryan describes his relationship with his art.
The film is enriched by captivating images and an award-winning narration by Duane March.
This film was recognized at several international film festivals and received the following accolades:
13th La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival (2022)
Nominations: Best Cinematography ll Best Jewelry
Award Winner: Best Narration (Duane March)
Film Miami Fest / Best Shorts Worldwide (2022)
Award Winner: Best Fashion Short ll Best Fashion Audience Choice
FilmHaus Berlin (2022)
Finalist: Best Character-Driven Documentary ll Best Short
Documentary
SENSEI Tokyo FilmFest (2022)
Nominations: Best Short Documentary ll Best Documentary
Cinematography ll Best Performative Documentary
Best Shorts Competition (2022)
Awards of Merit: Art Direction (Serena Del Nero) ll Narration/Voice Over Talent (Duane March)
Pure Magic International Film Festival (2022)
Award Winner: Best Voice Actor (Duane March)
Wisdom Tree International Film Festival (2023)
Award Winner: Best Documentary
Accolade Global Film Competition (2023)
Awards of Merit: Documentary Short ll Narration/Voice Over Talent (Duane March)
French Riviera Film Festival (2023)
Award Winner: Best Documentary
Your Way International Film Festival—Malta (2023)
Award Winner: Best Micro Short Film
Global Short Film Awards—Cannes (2023)
Award Winner: Best Film ll Best Fashion and Beauty Film
Fashion Film Festival Chicago (2023)
Award Winner: Bronze Medal (Medaille de Bronze)
Officially selected by:
- Best International Film Festival – Bucharest (2022)
- Kalakari Film Fest (2023)
- World Film Festival in Cannes (2024)
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You can watch the film trailer here:
BEYOND (2023)
The protagonist of the film is an award-winning photographer and director. The film is not only deeply personal but also reflects common human experiences and fundamental truths.
This film, essentially semi-autobiographical, captures the tension between his profession and his longing for a meaningful relationship.
Recognition for this film include:
Art Fashion Academy, Ferrara, Italy (2023)
Laguna Prize: Director Rossano B. Maniscalchi
On the Occasion of La Biennale Cinema 2023 – 80th Venice International Film Festival
Screening at the Golden Luxury Party (Donna Luna Venezia), Diamonds Royal Club, Sep. 7, 2023
Sarajevo Fashion Film Festival (2023)
Finalist: Best Documentary
Berlin New Wave Film Festival (2024)
Award Winner: Best Film on Romance
Pure Magic International Film Festival (2024)
Award Winner: Best Art / Experimental Film ll Best Voice Actor (Duane March)
Europa Film Festival— Barcelona / Resistencia Argentina
Award Winner: Best Fashion Film
Global Short Film Awards—Cannes (2024)
Award Winner: Best Film ll Best Director ll Best Fashion and Beauty Film
Trasimeno International Art Film Festival 2024 – FESTIVAL DEI TRAMONTI – Lake Trasimene, Italy
Award Winner: Best Fashion Film
Your Way International Film Festival 2024, Malta
Award Winner: Best Romance Film
Style, Experimental, Fashion Film Festival 2024 – Los Angeles
Award Winner: Best Fashion Film
Croatia Fashion Film Festival 2024 – Dubrovnik
Award Winner: Best Documentary
Seattle International Fashion Film Festival 2024 – Seattle
Award Winner: Honorable Mention
UK Fashion Film Festival 2024 – London
Nominations for: Best Documentary and Best Cinematography
Award Winner: Best Cinematography
Film Miami Fest 2024 – Miami
Award Winner: Best Fashion Short
Officially selected by 2 other festivals:
- Begin Film Festival 2024 – Santa Monica
- Festival Internazionale del Cinema di Salerno 2024
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You can watch the film trailer here:
IT’S NOT DARK YET (2024)
The protagonist tells a little girl the “Story of Jasmin.” In reality, she is reliving her own adolescence, a period in which both love and her human rights were denied to her. Despite these traumas, today the woman courageously lives in the new life she has earned.
It’s World Premiere was held on April 4, 2024, Hotel Sina Villa Medici, Florence, Italy.
This film has already been selected for international film festival competitions and has received recognition:
The King Review Festival 2024 – Tamil Nadu, India
Semi-Finalist
Style, Experimental, Fashion Film Festival 2024 – Los Angeles
Award Winner: Best Experimental Film
Festival Internazionale Inventa un Film 2024 – Lenola, Italy
Nominations: Best Preview Film ll Best Scenography ll The Social View
Best International Film Fesitval 2024 – Bucharest
Award Winner: Best Short Film
Diversity Feedback Film Festival 2024 – Toronto
Award Winner: Best Sound & Music
Kalakari Film Fest 2025 – Dewas, India – Official Selection
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You can watch the film trailer here:
NEXUS (2024)
Lorenza, a successful financial consultant, becomes an entrepreneur in the world of Haute Couture out of passion.
Her story gives the project a personal and intimate dimension. The designer’s words guide the viewer through her creative mind, making the process of creating her garments an artistic and poetic story, intertwined with the love story, which is the backdrop and the atmosphere of Trieste.
Its World Premiere was held on December 7, 2024, Hotel De Len, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
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You can watch the film trailer here: